FATAL EUROPEAN YEW (TAXUS BACCATA) POISONING IN TWO HORSES

A clinical case of European yew tree poisoning in two geldings in a mountain ranch for adventure riding is described. According to the owner, the horses have become suddenly ill. A more detailed history revealed that horses have eaten twigs and needles of coniferous tree, located in the immediate vicinity of a paddock. Prior to death nervousness, incoordination, muscle trembling, difficulty breathing, weakness and convulsions were observed. At necropsy the most prominent gross lesions include the presence of partially clotted blood, lung edema, cardiac dilatation and hyperemia of the stomach and small intestinal mucosa. In gastric content the presence of partially digested twigs and large number of needles of European yew was identified.